JOURNAL SPORTS
NATCHITOCHES – One of Northwestern State’s and Natchitoches’ biggest advocates, former Shreveport resident Jack O. “Britt” Brittain Jr., is being posthumously honored Saturday evening at the Demons’ home football opener at Turpin Stadium.
Brittain, who died July 11 after a brief illness at age 67, was a four-year letterwinner for the Demons from 1974-78. For his service to the university and its athletic program, he is being recognized as the first Exchange Bank and Trust “Demon Great of the Game” for the 2023 season.
He played defensive back, fullback and wide receiver, getting on the field as a true freshman and playing in the historic 1974 NSU-Grambling game. Brittain played receiver in his final three seasons, catching passes from Bobby Hebert, Eric Barkley and Stan Powell while helping block for record-shattering running back Joe Delaney in coach A.L Williams’ wide-open offenses.
Following his graduation from NSU, Brittain earned his law degree at LSU in 1982 and became a highly-effective and respected cog in local and state politics. He resided in Shreveport while representing U.S. Senators J. Bennett Johnston and John Breaux in the 1980s. He later practiced law in Natchitoches.
A tireless promoter of his hometown and of his alma mater, Brittain also supported numerous Northwestern endeavors both athletically and university-related.
His legal and political expertise allowed him to dispense advice to university administration at all levels while he gave his time and money to a plethora of fund-raisers and charitable acts, both connected to the university and for worthy causes throughout northwest Louisiana.
Brittain, the colorful sideline reporter for the Demon Sports Network radio broadcasts from 1997-2014, was awarded the 2013 N-Club Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award. Brittain’s volunteer involvement and legal work with the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, which holds its annual convention in Natchitoches each summer, earned him lifetime membership and the organization’s Mac Russo Award, which is given to an individual who “contributes to the progress and the ideals of the LSWA,” in 2017.
He was a catalyst in celebrating Delaney’s memory and heroism. Brittain played a pivotal role in the filming of the ESPN short film, “Delaney,” which premiered in 2015 with a screening at the Robinson Film Center in Shreveport. Brittain also represented NSU at various Kansas City Chiefs functions honoring Delaney, who died 40 years ago while trying to rescue three drowning children in Monroe.
Following his passing, the Jack Brittain Junior Memorial Scholarship, benefitting a Northwestern State female student-athlete, was established in his honor. The scholarship already has reached the endowed mark and is still receiving donations. For information on how to donate, visit https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/nsujack.
Brittain was the proud son of former Louisiana Tech running back Jack O. Brittain Sr., who played for the Bulldogs shortly after World War II and became a prominent attorney and Democratic Party activist in the state.
